134 | Awakeri builder has plenty on Wade Builders can turn their hand to any construction work within the commercial, industrial and residential sectors. Wade Builders T T Sue Russell BUILDING Wade Shipton established Wade Builders nearly four years ago; however, his journey as a builder extends back some 23-plus years. Based out of Awakeri, south-west of Whakatane in the eastern Bay of Plenty, Wade says having been in the building game so long means he is fairly certain about the direction he wants his business to go in. “After so long, you kind of decide what steps you are going to take next. I have a wide variety of employees and I like it that way.” In all, there are 12 in the team, six carpenters, two apprentices and a few labourers. Wade has been in the industry since leaving school at age 15. “Sometimes, I look back and think I should have stepped out on my own years ago, but also I know that, but I don’t think if I had, I would have been where I am now,” Wade says. Wade says he has plenty of current work and work ahead, which was a very good position to be in. “I’m not listening to the doom and gloom out there, because it’s just not my reality.” Both apprentices are doing well, one in his second year and the other in his first, and for Wade, with the current climate of demand, he sees no reason why the business shouldn’t continue to grow organically. “I’m on the tools 50 hours a week and everything else has to be fitted in around this. It’s demanding, but very satisfying work for me.” He says getting to know other business owners in the district has shown him that successful operators all have a few things in common – drive and passion and a willingness to work hard to just keep the company moving forward. Asked about a current build, Wade says a complete rebuild of what was a leaky home, but retaining its original footprint, has kept the team engaged. “Addie is our foreman on this project. We’re working for APL at the moment as well. They are getting me to price a job a job in Turangi. I think we’re so busy because I’m prepared to go to just about any extent to get the work and get the name of the business out there.” Wade says advice he would give to anyone else contemplating going out on their own in the world of building is to make sure you have it in you to bounce out of bed and put a smile on your face, grin and bear any tough days, no matter what. “That’s easy to do when you have good staff, as I do.” He says also, he’s fortunate to have quite a few ‘specialists’ in his team, which allows them to take on a wide array of building projects. With a combined 90 years of industry experience, Wade Builders will pretty much turn their hand to any construction work within the commercial, industrial and residential sectors. “I know what is important to do well, and one of those things is to communicate well with clients throughout a project. We also offer full project-management services, from pricing plans, ordering materials, managing and invoicing sub-contractors to consulting with designers and architects, and while we do this, we keep our clients in the loop.” Wade Builders are also licensed building practitioners and hold Site Safe Passports, and first aid certificates. “We operate through Safestaff for all our health and safety documentation, so we’ve got everything well and truly covered.” PROUDLY SUPPORTING WADE BUILDERS PEPPERS FARM BUILDINGS ANY SHED, ANY DESIGN, ANY TIME - KITSET OR FULL BUILD FULLY ENCLOSED • 3 BAY OPEN • HYBRID STEEL ROOF • AMERICAN BARN • LARGE SCALE 07 304 6312 | www.peppersbuildingsupplies.co.nz | 69 Main Street, Edgecumbe 3120 EDGECUMBE’S TRUSTED ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR BUILDING SUPPLIES
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